Cameroon road infrastructure: progress and challenges in 2026

Ongoing projects, completed milestones, and structural network developments—alongside persistent obstacles—highlighted during the public briefing by the Minister of Public Works in Yaoundé.

Progress and obstacles in Cameroon’s road infrastructure

During a public conference held at the Government Action Salon (SAGO 2026) in Yaoundé, Minister of Public Works Emmanuel Nganou Djoumessi presented a mid-term assessment of the 2020-2030 National Development Strategy, highlighting achievements and ongoing challenges in the road sector. The event brought together media professionals, users, and visitors to review the state of the country’s road network.

Key achievements and strategic focus

The Minister emphasized that road infrastructure is a cornerstone of economic growth and territorial cohesion. He outlined how the Ministry of Public Works is aligning its projects with the commitments of President Paul Biya under the National Development Strategy. The structural road network has been prioritized as the backbone of these interventions.

The mid-term review revealed that 2,442 kilometers of roads have been paved and 833 kilometers of degraded roads have been rehabilitated since the strategy’s inception. However, maintenance delays continue to pose significant challenges.

Persistent challenges slowing progress

Several factors are hindering the sector’s performance, including:

Security concerns in certain project zones
Cumbersome financing procedures and delayed market award processes
Cash flow difficulties faced by construction firms
Limited budget allocation for routine road maintenance

Despite these hurdles, the Minister highlighted notable progress over the past five years. The total length of paved roads has increased from 8,498 kilometers in 2020 to 10,939 kilometers by the end of 2025, averaging over 488 kilometers of new paved roads annually.